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Title: COMPUTER USE AND SATISFACTION BY GREAT PLAINS PRODUCERS: ORDERED LOGIT MODEL ANALYSIS

Author
item Ascough Ii, James
item HOAG, D - COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
item McMaster, Gregory
item FRASIER, W - COLORADO STATE UNIVESITY

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/2002
Publication Date: 6/24/2002
Citation: ASCOUGH II, J.C., HOAG, D.L., MCMASTER, G.S., FRASIER, W.M. COMPUTER USE AND SATISFACTION BY GREAT PLAINS PRODUCERS: ORDERED LOGIT MODEL ANALYSIS. AGRONOMY JOURNAL. 94:1263-1269 (2002).

Interpretive Summary: Computer technology is changing rapidly, yet the last general survey on computer use in agriculture was in 1991. In 1996 we surveyed Great Plains producers to examine how they used computers and what level of satisfaction was associated with computer use. Ordered logit analysis models were developed so that independent variables could be treated as ordered scales. .In contrast to previous studies, only 4% of producers were not satisfied with their computers. Our ordered logit models fit reasonably well, but we could find little information about which specifics affect computer use and satisfaction by producers since only a few variables were significant. Experience and education were not significant in frequency of use and number of software applications used, or were negative in the case for computer ownership. Size of operation had a positive influence on computer use, satisfaction, and number of software applications used. Computer skill also had a statistically significant impact on computer use, satisfaction, and number of software applications used. Our results indicate that computer use fosters value, which is supported by an increase in satisfaction or use where there are increased computer abilities. Finally, experience reduces satisfaction and use, but farm size and the presence of crops increase these measures.

Technical Abstract: Computer technology is changing rapidly, yet the last general survey on computer use in agriculture was in 1991. In 1996 we surveyed Great Plains producers to examine how they used computers and what level of satisfaction was associated with computer use. Ordered logit analysis models were developed so that independent variables could be treated as ordered scales. .In contrast to previous studies, only 4% of producers were not satisfied with their computers. Our ordered logit models fit reasonably well, but we could find little information about which specifics affect computer use and satisfaction by producers since only a few variables were significant. Experience and education were not significant in frequency of use and number of software applications used, or were negative in the case for computer ownership. Size of operation had a positive influence on computer use, satisfaction, and number of software applications used. Computer skill also had a statistically significant impact on computer use, satisfaction, and number of software applications used. Our results indicate that computer use fosters value, which is supported by an increase in satisfaction or use where there are increased computer abilities. Finally, experience reduces satisfaction and use, but farm size and the presence of crops increase these measures.